BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JULY 23, 2018) — Andrea Harrington, who with Judith Knight is challenging heir-apparent Paul Caccaviello for Berkshire County District Attorney, has to decide, not soon but now, because time is running out: Does she want to be the next DA? If that answer is yes, she must take the gloves off. Her only chance is to kick Cacc’s butt in Pittsfield. She can do that by:

Being less delicate in her press releases. Case in point was a policy statement issued Friday outlining her plans to establish new initiatives to help prevent and deal with domestic violence, and to install a veteran’s court in the county. The trouble is she couched her release in the obtuse, safe language that befall most political campaigns. When referring to how far the current DA’s office is behind the times, she doesn’t name the names. Well, the names are David Capeless and Paul Caccaviello, She should stop referring to “the DA’s office” and say what and who she means — Cape and Cacc, as well as the powerful men backing them (see below). You’re not running against Paul Caccaviello, madam. You’re running against The Machine. If your public presence doesn’t start acknowledging that, specifically including the finger pointing, then forget it.

Play up at every opportunity how the favorite obtained the inside track as interim district attorney. His boss spit at the democratic process, made a few phone calls, left office early, and placed the crown on his minion’s head. This is how the corrupt political system works in Pittsfield. It has put too many undeserving people in office, borders on criminal, and totally dispirits citizens and keeps them out of the process, which, too, is part of the plan. That’s not how it’s supposed to be done. This is America.

Speaking of every opportunity, line up as many speaking engagements as possible: coffee hours at people’s homes, radio appearances, press conferences, small stump opportunities at clubs, associations, and other similar venues. In short, campaign tirelessly, like a maniac.

Get together a photo op and personally take down the hanging boots at the Lincoln Street-Wellington Avenue intersection. No, it’s not an urban legend. Those boots serve as a defiant message from the scum that THEY, not the police, control that drug- and gang-infested area. If Harrington wants to be the top criminal justice official, she can show it. Start with the small things and go from there.

Throw most all your remaining resources into Pittsfield, including marketing and communication dollars.

Call out Cacc for ducking you. Insist on more debates. Corner him. Make noise. Good, decent citizens have been under siege for too long. They need to believe you will not forget them. Start now. That’s the only way you can motivate people who will, if left alone, not bother to vote.

Make an overture to Knight. She’s clearly in this race to split the opposition vote. You have more of a shot than she does. Find out where her heart truly lies. As they say with the lottery, “Hey, you never know.” If Knight refuses, call a press conference and call that Knight a spade. You must begin to make noise.

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The contest will be as truncated as The Machine can make it. They want to stay invisible until after Labor Day. By then it will be too late for Harrington to provide anything more than token opposition. Apropos to the subject, THE PLANET has been “working the phones” to bring you what’s going on behind the scenes — you know, the junk The Boring Broadsheet is too timid to print. We present this compilation of the latest such intelligence:

Our Right Honorable Good Friend Gerry Doyle is supporting Andrea Harrington behind the scenes. He has told his family and friends to vote for her. He will be voting for her.

Gene Dellea and Jerry Burke, however, have been “hounding” Doyle to put up a lawn sign “for the GOB machine’s choice Caccaviello.” Informed sources also have been pressuring the former mayor to do one of his well-known fundraisers in his backyard, where his network of loyalists throw cash in a bucket for their chosen candidate. They don’t use Monopoly money. They use Jacksons, Grants, and Franklins.

Sources say Dellea and Burke are promising to “give a job” to one of Jerry’s family members and the potential for another job at the sheriff’s department. “Yes,” one source says, “clearly Tom Bowler is involved in this political pressuring as well.”

Sources tell THE PLANET these are among several other “higher profile example[s] of what is happening all over the county in this race: This is how the power structure works. When you have power, leverage and an ability to make or break a family by giving out a job or taking one away, the power is real.”

It also seems clear that the so-called progressives are not supporting Caccaviello. The solution for the GOBs on this one is to steer more liberal voters to Judy Knight. Sherwood Guernsey and Lee Harrison, who are funded as political consultants by Richard Neal — who is closely aligned with Dellea — have been pushing Knight in spite of the fact that she has little chance of winning. Her campaign is so anemic, one source says, that “she had to pay people to gather signatures just to get on the ballot.”

As we talk to and hear from more people in and out (especially in) the campaign, it seems apparent that Knight is in this race to take votes away from Harrington and get Caccaviello elected. Knight was late to the race and only entered after speaking with Caccaviello. One can only wonder what that conversation was like. What, if anything, was promised to Knight for splitting the vote with Harrington?

Keep tuned to this channel, folks, because the fun has only just begun.

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“I have not yet begun to fight” — John Paul Jones, the bass player for Led Zeppelin.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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85 Responses to “SOURCES ADD CLAIMS, CLARITY TO THE MUCK GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES IN THE DA’s RACE”

Capeless may have set the table for Caccaviello, but it was the governor that appointed him, not Capeless. Caccaviello is a great prosector and by far the best person for the job, of the ones running. Harrington is going nowhere in a hurry, for all the reasons you mentioned, and then some. Same with Knight. And they both want to give drug dealers, who are not paying taxes on their income by the way, a get out of jail free card. And who cares what Doyle thinks? He’s a has been, like Ruberto, and The Machine is on life support, like the rest of this God Forsaken City. Get out before the new high school tax and the new water and sewer fee drive your property value in the ditch.

The answer is “The Renaissance”. Ruberto is trying to protect his legacy, ala “The Renaissance”, which of course was really a mirage, a mirage fueled by our tax dollars. We sure know he didn’t travel the country bringing those jobs here like he said he would. As Dan would say, he created two jobs – a snow job and a con job, but I say four – a do nothing post for faraway Farley, and useless job for Barrett.

He hasn’t done anything wrong and just as capeless cruised to victory after Romney appointed him DA when downing died, Caccaviello will cruise to victory, because the opposition is a couple of weak sisters.

There is no one more GOB machine than Harrington. She’s being backed and guided by two of the biggest sleaze balls in the history of Pirrsfield. They got secretary Tyer into the corner office, and now they want a lightweight they can control in the DA’s office. Her first move will be to give fake Krol a GOB welfare job in the DA’s office so we can pay for Krol to sit on his lazy ass at taxpayer expense. And beer can Gerry Doyle. Who gives a crap what this waste of protoplasm thinks?

The District Attorney job pays $171,561 a year! I will be an honorary District Attorney for 50% of that salary! It pay$ to be politically connected!
I am surprised that Good Old Boy Gerry Doyle isn’t backing the heir apparent Paul Caccaviello. Usually the Good Old Boys are united in their political hackdom.

In the hood, hanging footwear from a wire is often an act of remembrance of someone who died there. In 2011, 23 year old Nikolas Carnute was shot and killed a few houses down on Wellington. The boots may be a tribute to his death…

You have just described good old fashioned politics.Splitting the vote is as old as the hills and getting local pols to back you is happening all over this country.Court officers make 75k .These are the best jobs in the berkshires.

Please build a new police station at the old jail right in the hood,Your welcome….2nd street here we come.Ask Yon and McCandless if the will help fight crime…..shooting s will move to the schools if we dont do something quick.Pittsfield is shrinking at a record pace and the mayor want the old retired people to flip her bill.

I agree with your assessment, Dan. Andrea Harrington needs to take the gloves off. There are more than ample areas to strike at. The fundraiser in Williamstown by a convicted felon, giulty of 42 counts of mail fraud involving the insurance industry (Dont we all pay enough for our insurance without fraud being present to benefit this friend of Caccaviello) along with being guilty of witness tampering and intimidation, to benefit Caccaviello is the first. Cacc was there and accepted the proceeds. Law enforcement are prohibit d from associating with convicted felons. Why is the highest ranking law enforcement officer in OUR county exempt from this rule? Or is he? Anoth r is the way he was granted the office by Capeless. Shady at best. Why was this allowed? Why did Cqpeless leave so suddenly? There’s much more to that story than meets the eye, I believe. I hope Harrington goes strong at this campaign. This crooked group. NEEd’s to be removed from the office of the DA in Berkshire County. The preliminary election IS THE ELECTIOJ in this race. Harrington needs to stress this aspect of this race, too. The GOB don’t wanna want that to be touched AT ALL. Bring it out!!!!

Let’s talk about snarky little Krol, campaign manager to Harrington, and his facebook sponsor, “Who Me?” Allen Harris. Hey Allen, advertisers should know what their money is supporting. And radio hosts who call people shady should know who tops the list of Bershire’s Most Dubious before they take their money. Harris, who got caught stealing from his company, was ordered by Judge Ford to pay a $2M fine which he called “the cost of doing business.” #wallstreetentitled #theft #corruption #friendsofharringtoncampaign Berkshire Job Summit organizers have faced legal problems in the past
Posted Friday, February 12, 2010 5:28 am
By Clarence Fanto, Special to The Eagle
Friday February 12, 2010
PITTSFIELD — The organizers of next Friday’s Berkshire Job Summit at the Crowne Plaza each have contended with legal problems: Allen Harris said he got “really beat up” in litigation, and Sherman Baldwin said it was “like a scarlet letter.”
Harris is president of Pittsfield-based Berkshire Money Management, and Baldwin hosts “Talk Berkshires,” a weekday afternoon call-in show on Pittsfield radio station WBRK. Both live in Pittsfield.
In 2006, Berkshire Superior Court Judge Daniel Ford ordered Harris to repay his former employer, Dion Money Management, just over $2 million in a case in which Dion Money Management alleged that Harris had taken its client roster and lists of subscribers for its affiliated financial newsletter in order to launch his own company, Berkshire Money Management.
Ford’s ruling upheld a jury verdict against Berkshire Money Management and Harris. Ford also ruled that Harris had violated a non-competition and non-disclosure agreement.
Harris told The Eagle that “taking assets” from one money-management firm to another “happens all the time in this industry. So I did that. I took a bunch of assets from another company.”
Harris said he got “really beat up” in litigation, but considered it part of the “cost of doing business.”
Harris established Berkshire Money Management in April 2001, shortly after he left his position as chief investment officer for Dion, based in Williamstown and in Naples, Fla.
Seven years before that, he said, he pleaded guilty to an assault-and-battery charge stemming from a bar fight and was sentenced in Berkshire District Court to a year of probation, which was served without incident.
In 1999, Baldwin pleaded guilty in federal court in New Haven, Conn., to defrauding investors in an independent film, “The Crow,” which was based on the underground comic book. Baldwin served as one of three executive producers in the 1993 film.
Brandon Lee — the son of martial-arts legend Bruce Lee — was killed in a freak shooting accident on the set shortly before the movie was completed.
At the time, Baldwin, as president of Entertainment Media Investment Corp. in New York City, planned to provide funding from investors to complete the film by using stunt doubles and other post-production and marketing moves.
But financing fell apart, and Baldwin told The Eagle he “diverted, embezzled, stole” $748,750 from a settlement his company had against Miramax Films, which he used to complete and market “The Crow.” Baldwin told The Eagle that an attorney for the investment group for “The Crow” notified the FBI, resulting in the criminal charge of “interstate transfer of money obtained by fraud.”
Baldwin was sentenced by a judge to a year in a minimum-security federal prison at Fort Dix, N.J. But Baldwin contends it was a victimless crime because the group of investors earned $12.2 million in profits on “The Crow,” which took in nearly $400 million worldwide, including video release.
He said his victims “cried at my sentencing, saying it was a miscarriage of justice.”
Baldwin, 50, told The Eagle that rebuilding his career was difficult — “You come out with a ton of bricks on your shoulder, a scarlet letter on your chest.”
He also contended that “everybody knows this, this is not ‘new news,’ this is not some revelation that people in the Berkshires don’t know.”
Baldwin acknowledged he has not discussed his legal problems on his radio show. However, in anticipation of this article, he is holding a press conference during his show today “to answer any and all questions about my past” and “do everything in my power to make sure that the [Berkshire Job] summit is not negatively affected by my past.”
Shortly after losing his talk show on Albany radio station WROW in May 2009 because of a station budget cut after a six-month run, Baldwin was included in a Times Union feature on ex-convicts. He told the Albany newspaper that his “very public crash and burn” had cost him jobs and hindered his career.
“I cooked the books; it’s a horrible stigma and it still comes back to haunt me,” he told the Times Union.
Recently, he told The Eagle that he obtained a Coast Guard license in 2005 and worked as a first officer on the Hyannis-to-Nantucket ferry before landing back in radio.
Baldwin went to WBRK in May 2009 after working at Pittsfield’s WUPE and Albany’s WROW in 2008 and 2009. Before that, his career included music and talk shows in Greenwich, Conn.; Mount Kisco, N.Y.; New Haven, Conn.; and Sedona, Ariz..
Baldwin, who works at WBRK as an independent contractor, has said he intends to buy the station, but WBRK owner Willard “Chip” Hodgkins said it isn’t for sale.
A recent “significant” offer that didn’t include Baldwin as an investor but listed him as “talent” had been rejected, Hodgkins said. He also said he wasn’t aware of Baldwin’s criminal record until interviewed by The Eagle.
Harris, however, said Baldwin’s past doesn’t concern him.
“He’s a magnificent person trying to give back to the community,” said Harris, 37. “I consider Sherman one of my best friends.”
While Harris said he isn’t worried about Baldwin’s past, Baldwin has gone on the offensive about it. In the statement he issued Wednesday announcing today’s press conference, Baldwin said, “I stand by my record of what I have accomplished here, and who I am as a member of this community.”

Paul Caccaviello should re-think having John do his social media. This Berkshire Eagle article is a story about how the Pittsfield Machine tried to quash the Berkshire Job Summit because Harris and Baldwin had the temerity to organize it without kissing the right rings and butts. I don’t see how reminding us about this will make anyone want to support Machine candidate Paul Caccaviello.

I was a big supporter of Capeless and thought he did a great job. I especially appreciated his work in educating the community on the dangers of marijuana and his efforts in fighting against legalization.

Point one – it is being assumed by many that Capeless resigned in order to “coronate” his successor. Where are the facts to support that? Is it possible he is ill, or a family member is ill, or there is a family issue etc etc?

Point 2 – neither female candidate has the background and qualifications that Caccaviello has for the job. And for that reason, I will be voting for Caccaviello.

What about Capeless’ great work in the Adam Lee Hall case, where he failed to protect a witness and three men were killed by Hall because of that. That was great work, too, huh? Then He almost lost an open and shut case against Hall and the other two. That was great work, right? Please!!!

Mr. Fitz: FYI…The Boston Globe did an in-depth investigation into the Capeless sudden retirement situation, which included securing E-mails between Capeless and the governor’s office, where the collusion was spelled out in detail and cannot be disputed.

Oh please it was not the Globe it was some rag called commonwealth which is funded by people who want drugs legalized. Capeless had a press conference to announce he wanted to leave the office in capable hands. God help this county if we get one of those two ham and eggers elected.

Thanks Two Cents – I looked up the article by Commonwealth Magazine and yes they reported that there were some emails between Gov. Baker & Capeless about Capeless retiring early & the Gov. appointing Caccaviello as interim D.A. I don’t really see it as a bad thing and it was not illegal. Doesn’t sway me from voting for the best candidate – Caccaviello.

Just for the record…As disturbed as I am with the raping of the democratic process by Capeless and Baker….I am even more disturbed imagining John Kroll in the DA’s office. He’s the closest thing to the antichrist that Pittsfield has ever seen. Because of that, I will vote for Paul. Knight has been away for too long and is nothing but a red herring.

Fair enough, but we know the “raping of the democratic process” as you call it actually happened because it’s well documented. Same thing with Wifegate. Documented bullying. Reported by multiple news sources. But can anyone show me evidence of this promised job for John Krol? I think you’re being played by the Cacc campaign.

Yeah, I remember that little Harris dude thinking g he was a tough guy on Krols propaganda hour. There’s being tough at Methuselah and at dance clubs, then there’s being tough at the Beer Garden and The Stadium on Wahconah St. and Matt Reilly’s and Seecum Brook back in the day, places I hung out. He wouldn’t have lasted long then. The little balerinas who jump and whirl and kick got slammed, hard, back then. He used to make me laugh. Still does.

Much of the reason taxes have been skyrocketing in Pittsfield is because of the concentrated power. In some areas this type of power block can invent pork projects from which contracts go to friendly, politically connected contractors. These contracts may involve back scratching thank yous such as kickbacks which can come in a variety of forms.

While some gravy has always been an accepted political perk it has become a two fisted greed grab which in my opinion is outright stealing from the taxpayer. A white collar crime technically protected by government cover.

Pat,conservatives cant count anymore.It use to be the party of financial watchdog.When I think conservative now I think out of control spending and tax cuts for the mega wealthy and corporations and deregulation allow consumers to be ripped off.And supporting that slob billionaire who has secrets and tell lies.

It doesn’t take far to see that the pot investors want Harrington due to repeal of Cole memo. She is inexperienced and will owe them. Follow that money and you will get your answers as to why she will win. She is machine, just different machine.

Just read that Pittsfield is ranked 8th out of 56 cities in Mass. as most dangerous to live in. And the story, I am sure, does not include white collar crime or crime covered up by people with power over such things. Probably will not read this in your local paper because it is their job to protect the city image if they want business advertising.

One more huge reason to bail out if you can because one can safely assume it is getting worse by the day. Do you love your kids??? Then start shopping for a new life elsewhere.

Pat,conservatives cant count anymore.It use to be the party of financial watchdog.When I think conservative now I think out of control spending and tax cuts for the mega wealthy and corporations and deregulation allow consumers to be ripped off.And supporting that slob billionaire who has secrets and tell lies.

Now trump is using the religion tool in his speeches. It is very clear to me what he is doings. he’s has pited American against American, and it won’t be long before he agitates foreign countries to battle each other? Why is he doing this? Simple. u tied States, the Saudi’s and Russia, yes Russia wil be included in the largest consortium of jobs, yes jobs,for the those three. Why the hell do you think he’s building up the Military? The trade off, enmities go to War at our, Russia and Saudi expense. The rich get richer,very rich. Wait till the great seaport opens up in the Artic.

President Trump is building up the military because this is a very dangerous world we live in with many power mad leaders wanting to take over other countries and he knows he needs to “speak softly, but carry a big stick”.

Trump made 440 million dollars last year. Much of it related to his being president. Ivankia made 40 million…much of it related to daddy’s presidency.

And while he was railing yesterday about companies making their product in America, he and daughters products (and wifes jewelry) are all made out of the country. He knows his base cannot see though his bullshit and that is good enough for him. He will go down as the most powerful cult leader ever.

Ivanka Trump will make a move, using her company as the policy change to pursue a political position. One must ask, do we really need Ivanka anyway, in Politics? This is the challenge to follow down the road for any conflict of interes. When the great DON decides to come back to his real job soaking billions from the taxpayer for his own benefit.let’s see his tax returns,dammit!

Trump owes wall street big time, you know the players. Trump was bailed out by these clowns,and trump still owes them. His promise is to make them great again,and he will also make a little on the side. That is the quagmire, they bailed his ass out and his collateral was the brand name,Trump. His being President was nothing more than an ego thing, but those Wall Street Billionaires are totally behind it. He is bought and paid for. His challenge isn’t so much being re-elected but getting his party to keep the majority next election.

I wonder if the farmers across the nation that voted for Trump because he was gonna cut welfare are going to accept the $12B in extra agriculture subsidies approved today. This extra funding is intended to offset the damage caused by the administration’s tariffs.

Anone see the Teadrer Joe’s shooting by LAPD,incredible. they are literally firing at an area full of pedestrians? What the hell training is that? And that Duck Boat drowning in Branson? Then you have the stand your ground in Florida, that is kind of stupid also.

Maybe Harrington and Good Knight have other thoughts for running for D A down the road. I
It will look good on the a resume as a private attorney, ask super Timmy, buz is booming. You don’t beat the Machine.
On the Mayoral beat, if iron Mike wanted to run for Mayor, it’s his for the taking.

While all of us has been blogging the most important person in this city is acting for all of us especially taxpyer’s.

Outstanding letter to the editor to the eagle by Gaetani. Have we all forgotten that the sewer and water projects will rise your utility rates by a factor of eight. the G Man hasn’t forgotten and none of us taxpayers should forget either.

Gaetani could demolish anyone on any topic and as Dan has stated, he is a force for good, for the Taxpayer!

We should pray that he runs for Mayor, he has concrete plans to destroy the G O B Network.

Read his letter to the Editor yesterday. There isn’t an ounce of doubt as to what he is trying to do, and that is to help the taxpayer. Read the article and see for yourselves.

The Water Waffle is gonna snap his arm in half if he keeps patting himself on the back that hard. The “opinion” has not one speck of information other than a doddering fool’s delusions and self-importance.

Andrea Harrington is holding a campaign event at the Christian Center. As far as I know the Christian Center is a 501 c3. She is endangering their tax free status by holding a campaign event on their property.A lawyer running for DA should know better.

She has no trial experience of any kind. How about she devotes herself to criminal law or any type of public service before demanding the job? I can’t think of another job where such lack of competence or established track record would be conceivable. Fire chief? Police chief? School nurse? Hair dresser?